NEWS ARCHIVE

(Clinton) -- Odeon destroyed by fire and a person injured in a separate fire occurring at the same time. Cause of the fire on Chancey St. termed accidental-see updated in the story

Clinton Fire Chief Mike Brown summed it up by calling it a “long night,” as the department battled two major fires at the same time early Sunday morning. In one of those fires a person was injured and in the second a long-time business was virtually destroyed.

The first call came in at 1:36 AM Sunday to 2351 Chancy Street and the emergency call noted that one person was unable to get out of the house. The Clinton Fire Department responded with 2 engines and 2 ambulances along with a command vehicle and eleven personnel. Under the automatic aid agreement the Camanche Fire Department provided an engine and five personnel.

Firefighters arriving at the scene found smoke coming from the residence and noted an audible smoke detector. The firefighters were told that one person was still inside. Entry was gained thru an unlocked front door and found the room of origin and extinguished the fire. The occupant was located in that room. The person was evacuated from the residence and transported to the Mercy Hospital. The identity of the person and condition has not been released. Units remained on the scene until 2:57 AM. The Fire Department Investigation has determined the cause of the was a candle being knocked over and igniting material on the floor. The victim who was rescued from the home is in critical condition and is being treated at the University of Iowa Hospital Burn Unit.

At about the same time a fire call was received to 80 25th Avenue North. The dispatch was at 2:05 AM Sunday morning. With the department battling the fire on the other side town there were six personnel in a ladder truck and ambulance and an engine responding to the Odeon on 25th Avenue North. Camanche also provided some manpower and Fulton also provided backup. There were also 14 Clinton firefighters called back to assist. The residents of an apartment at the building had evacuated due to smoke detectors inside the building giving them an alarm.

Because of the ‘headway’ the fire had been able to make the initial efforts to control it were unsuccessful and a defensive effort was employed. The building eventually burned down.

There were a total of 36 firefighters working at the scene of the fire. The Clinton Fire Department was assisted by the Camanche and Fulton Fire Departments plus the Red Cross, Alliant Energy and the Clinton Police Department and Clinton Streets Department.

Fire Chief Brown says investigations into both fires will probably get started Monday.

He says in addition to fighting the fires there were a ‘number’ of EMS ambulance calls at the same time.

Written 11/25/2012 by Dave Vickers - KROS News

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